USG produces guide for independent students

In the midst of Bicker season, the Undergraduate Life Committee has released a comprehensive guide to assist independent students in the challenges and adjustments they face.

The Independent Student Guide provides upperclass students not in an eating club with an array of information about living in Princeton, and helps students considering going independent to make informed decisions.

Located at princeton.edu/~isg, the Independent Student Guide has several components, including sections regarding McCaffrey's Delivery, kitchens on campus, bus routes, independent room draw and dining options. Reached earlier in the week, William Robinson '04, former chair of the ULC, "Our goal was to get it out before Bicker so sophomores could make an educated decision about being an independent student."

The guide addresses the need to aid independent students and those considering the independent option. Many past potential independents have had difficulty choosing rooming options and muddling through the various dining options.

Robinson said his committee recognized the imperative need for an independent student guide. "Last year, the Independent Student Union was newly formed and the ULC was invited to aid in addresses independent student concerns. We knew that independent students wanted a more inclusive social life. Independent students felt like the University was waiting for the four-year colleges to be established and was not doing enough to support independent students and all the adjustments one needs to make as an independent."

Perhaps the most important feature of the site guides potential independents through the adjustment of independent room draw. This section provides a detailed look at room draw, listing all possible options and explaining the methods employed by undergraduate housing in conjunction with independent room draw.

The site includes lists of specific rooms near kitchens that are allocated to independent students.

The Restaurant Guide allows students to access the websites of various local restaurants. Students can view menus and order food directly from the links available there. The guide also has a section entitled "Healthy Eating" where students can link to sites providing useful information to the student cook.

One exciting aspect of the site is the section allowing students to view all local merchants offering discounts to students. Several area retailers are listed with their corresponding student discount, negotiated by the USG for students with valid PUIDs.

When asked how the idea of a website came about Robinson said, "We came to the realization that we should create more than a document. We should create an actual website. Then we realized that some of the ideas we were coming up with weren't just for independents. Through that realization, we were able to convince the ULC that this would be an important project on which to supply information."

Membership in the Independent Student Union is open to any undergraduate student not in an eating club, according to the group's website.

The Independent Student Union provides social options to students excluded from Street activities during times like Bicker and Houseparties and would provide support for independent students during the room draw process. The union worked to compile the independent guide, with suggestions about room draw, resources, costs and benefits and aids for prospective independent students, as well as to offer social options for all Princeton students.

Get the best of the ‘Prince’ delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe now »

Robinson has high hopes for the site and its necessity to improving the lives of all Princeton students. "I don't think things are changing. I think there have always been 25-30 percent of upper class students who are not in an eating clubs. That need has always been there, but that need has never been filled. This guide is an opportunity to fill all these voids at once. This was needed as much in the past as it is needed now and will be needed in the future."